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Subject: Info-Kermit Digest V12 #7
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Info-Kermit Digest         Tue, 20 Nov 1990        Volume 12 : Number 7

Today's Topics:

      Announcing IBM Mainframe MVS/TSO Kermit-370 Version 4.2.1
           Announcing CP/M Kermit Version 4.10 for Testing
         New Test Release of Microsoft Windows Kermit
         Another New Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02
           Rainbow Kermit Updated Too (for testing)
              New Kermit for Gould/SEL 32/77 MPX
          MS-Kermit 3.02 Argument Handling, Keyboard Mapping
            Re: Kermit REMOTE SET Command
               Kermit for STRATUS/VOS?
                 Kermit vs Hypercard?

Digest submissions may be sent to [e-mail],
requests for addition to or deletion from the Info-Kermit subscriber list to
[e-mail] or to [e-mail].

Kermit files may be obtained over networks and by mail order.  On the
Internetwork, use FTP to log in to host WATSUN.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU, a SUN-4/280
running UNIX (SUNOS 4.1), IP host number 128.59.39.2.  Login as user anonymous
(note, lower case), any password, and GET or MGET (MULTIPLE GET) the desired
files.  The Kermit files are in directories kermit/a, kermit/b, kermit/c,
kermit/d, and kermit/e.  Test versions are in kermit/test.  Binaries are in
kermit/bin (use ftp in binary mode).  You can also get Kermit files over the
BITNET/EARN network; to get started send a message with text HELP to KERMSRV,
the Kermit file server, at host CUVMA.  For detailed instructions, read the
file kermit/a/aanetw.hlp (AANETW.HLP on KERMSRV).  To order by mail, request a
complete list of Kermit versions and an order form from Kermit Distribution,
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities, 612 West 115th Street,
New York, NY 10025 USA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu Nov 15 11:45:38 1990
From: "John F. Chandler"  <[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcing IBM Mainframe MVS/TSO Kermit-370 Version 4.2.1
Keywords: IBM 370 Kermit, MVS/TSO Kermit
Xref: TSO Kermit, See MVS/TSO Kermit, IBM 370 Kermit

Kermit-370 version 4.2.1 for TSO has now been released.  For the most
part, this release matches the version 4.2.1 for CMS announced in
September, but there are some system-specific differences.

Version 4.2.1 has several improvements over 4.2.0, the most important
being:

 1. Kermit-370 supports file transfers through the IBM 3174 AEA with B2
    microcode (or higher).  The support is restricted to terminals with
    the ASCII Graphics capability in three ways:

    a) The terminal type must be defined in the 3174 to support graphics
       (only the built-in VT241 and Tektronix 4205 types plus suitable
       user-defined terminal types).

    b) The line must be defined without an associated Host Addressable
       Printer.

    c) If the 3174 is owned by VTAM, the connection must be made with a
       logmode that allows the Read Partition Query (such as M2SDLCQ).

    Kermit-370 automatically detects the B2 AEA and sets CONTROLLER
    accordingly (to AEA if graphics is allowed, to NONE if not, or to
    GRAPHICS if Query is denied).  Since the 3174 supports full 8-bit
    communication, it may be useful to configure the ports for 8-bit
    data and to set both SEND and RECEIVE PARITY to NONE in Kermit-370.

 2. Overflow of the fullscreen buffer is now avoided when the receiving
    Kermit asks for 2K packets.

 3. Kermit-370 now supports transfers in LATIN2 and LATIN3 and file
    storage in CP870, CP880, and CP905.  In addition, L1, L2, and L3 are
    recognized as aliases for the three LATIN sets, and two-character
    abbreviations are accepted for the other transfer sets as well.  The
    new sets add support for Afrikaans, Albanian, Catalan, Croatian,
    Czech, Esperanto, Galician, Hungarian, Maltese, Polish, Romanian,
    Slovak, Slovene, and Turkish.

 4. Kermit-370 has three new subcommands: REMOTE MAIL, REMOTE PRINT, and
    REMOTE SUBMIT.  They transmit a file (or group of files via wild
    cards) tagged for mailing, printing, and submitting as job,
    respectively.

 5. Spurious flow-control "packets" from MS-Kermit are now ignored.

 6. When downloading ISPF PDS members, Kermit-TSO now uses the ISPF
    modification date as the time stamp (if attributes are enabled).

 7. Kermit-370 now uses the FILE COLLISION settings for all files in a
    group rather than just the first.

 8. The format of KER.LOG for SET DEBUG I/O has been extended to give
    hexadecimal buffer dumps like those of CMS Kermit.

The new release is in the form of updates to be applied to the 4.2.0
source.  The new files are IKTKER.UPD and IKTKER.BWR.  The new code has
been tested on both IBM 7171's (demonstrating downward compatibility)
and IBM 3174's (many thanks to the beta testers!), and the CMS version
had already been tested on other types of protocol converters, but
problems may still turn up.  Bug reports are welcome, as usual.

A similar release 4.2.1 will soon be available for MUSIC.  Also, watch
for release 4.2.1 for CICS.

[Ed. - Thanks, John!  The new files are in in the B area of Kermit
distribution: iktker.ann (this message), iktker.bwr (the beware file), and
iktker.upd (the updates to be applied to the program to produce the new
version; see iktker.ins for instructions.]

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 1 Nov 90 14:18:55 EST
From: Mike Freeman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcing CP/M Kermit Version 4.10 for Testing
Keywords: CP/M-80 Kermit

Just to prove that the CP/M world still exists, here is CP/M Kermit-80
Version 4.10.

New features include:

o SET COLLISION {BACKUP/DISCARD/RENAME/REPLACE}
o SET INCOMPLETE-FILES {DISCARD/KEEP}
o Many REMOTE commands, including some REMOTE SET commands
o RENAME command to rename CP/M files from within Kermit-80
o SET RECEIVE/SEND PACKET-LENGTH nn (nn <= 94)
o Many bug fixes
o Kermit-80 Version 4.10 now supports the Microbee family of
   computers (56K, 64K, 128K and 256K) manufactured by
   Microbee Systems, Ltd, of Australia.

Technical changes:

o An "I" packet is now tried before the request for files is sent
  in a GET command
o The overlay address is now 7000H
o The overlay (CPXLNK.ASM) has an added INCFLG variable to handle
  INCOMPLETE-FILES status

Syntax hints:

In REMOTE commands such as REMOTE COPY, REMOTE MESSAGE, REMOTE RENAME,
REMOTE WHO etc., where two arguments are required, the syntax is as for Vax
VMS Kermit, i.e.,

  REMOTE <command> <argument 1>
  Prompt:  <argument 2>

For example:

  REMOTE COPY <old-file>
  New file: <new-file>

The REMOTE LOGIN command has three arguments, of which the last two are
prompted for an entered on new lines.  Arguments are optional.

In commands such as REMOTE SET FILE BLOCK-SIZE which take a numeric
argument, Kermit-80 does not check the argument for validity.  Whatever is
typed is what the host sees.

The FCOPY command has been renamed COPY.

The syntax for the RENAME command is as for the COPY command, that is:
RENAME <old-filespec> <new-filespec>

More rigorous checking for wildcards is now done by both of these
commands.

SET BAUD-RATE is now SET SPEED.

The CONNECT command no longer can be abbreviated to "C"; the minimum
acceptable abbreviation is now "CON".

The option SET FILE DEFAULT has ben re-enabled.  Use a TAKE-file to set the
initial file-mode to ASCII or BINARY.

Building Kermit-80 ver. 4.10:

Kermit-80 ver. 4.10 is built using the same procedure as for version 4.09.

Many thanks to those who have contributed bug fixes, and, in particular,
to Mr. Russell Lang of Monash University, Australia, for contributing
a bug-fix and the family file for the Microbee systems.

[Ed. - Many thanks, Mike!  We hauled out our original Kermit Superbrain from
nine years ago, downloaded the system-independent hex file and the
"Brain"-dependent hex file, combined them with MLOAD, and the new version
worked perfectly.  But because CP/M Kermit runs on so many different
computers, we are installing it in the Kermit test area for now.  If you
encounter any problems with it, send e-mail to Mike at the address above.
After a decent testing interval, it will replace version 4.09 in the main
distribution area.  The Kermit test area is kermit/test on watsun, and T: on
CUVMA.  All CP/M-80 Kermit filenames start with the letters CP.  There are
more than a hundred files, so first get the file CPAAAA.HLP, which lists and
describes the files, read it, and then request the files you need.  An
updated version of MLOAD is also included as MLOAD.*.  An updated manual
will be available shortly.  Thanks again to Mike for all the work that went
into this release.]

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 18:10:57 PDT
From: [e-mail] (William Hall)
Subject: New Test Release of Microsoft Windows Kermit
Keywords: Microsoft Windows Kermit

WIN100.EXE, a version of Kermit with VT100 and VT52 terminal emulation for
Microsoft Windows, is available on an experimental basis from the Kermit
distribution center.  Programs are available for both Windows 2.x and Windows
3.0 and replace the previously released WN100K.EXE.  Except for bug fixes, the
2.x version will not receive further enhancements.  The 3.0 version will
undergo several improvements over the next several months as time permits
including the release of all sources when legally possible.  Plans include
basic server support as well as extensions of the emulation to include VT220
and H19 as well as 8 bit character sets.  4010/4014 support and Telapi support
are also planned for the future.  Accompanying the programs is a font file
suitable for use on VGA displays which allow for proper display of bold
characters and DEC special graphics.

[Ed. - Many, thanks, Bill!  The new files are in ~kermit/test/win*.* on
watsun for Internet anonymous ftp access, and T:WIN*.* on CUVMA for BITNET
KERMSRV access.]

------------------------------

Date: Thu Nov 15 11:47:07 1990
From: Christine M Gianone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Another New Prerelease of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02

>From Joe Doupnik's change log:

71. Expand the command line internal variable value substitution syntax
    \v(variable) to encompass internal variables:
        ARGC        PATH
        COUNT        TIME
        DATE        VERSION
        ERRORLEVEL
    Allow "?" help and <ESC> word completion on these items as well.

    Now scripts can include additional controls such as
        IF equal \v(date) 09-16-1990 echo it's \v(time) on Sunday
    Notice that \v(variable) yields a text string and cannot be combined
    with the strictly numerical IF test conditions of <, =, and >. For
    numerical tests employ the form
        IF > time 12:00 echo the time is past noon

    Some basic concepts are as follows.
    - Intrinsic (built-in) commands do not affect the \%0..\%9 variables,
      but user created commands (Macros) do create a private version of
      \%0..\%9.

    - To be a command the keyword, intrinsic or macro, must be the first word
      at the Kermit prompt. Commas in Macros start a fresh command line even
      though the Kermit prompt is usually not displayed on the screen while
      within a macro.

      Thus in the definition below of macro test
        DEFINE test echo \%0 \%1,mywords,echo test mywords \%1
      there are three commands (they start at the effective Kermit prompt):
        echo TEST <first argument><carriage return>
    mywords  becomes  whatever macro mywords is defined as<carriage ret>
    echo test mywords <first argument to test><carriage return>
            The argument to this last echo cmd is the simple text
            "test mywords" plus the first argument to test.
            In the text neither test nor mywords is replaced by
            its definition, and echo is an intrinsic command.

    - String substitution variables, \%<character> and \v(variable), are
      always immediately replaced by their definition string no matter where
      they are used outside of a DEFINE command.

    - ASSIGN is similar to DEFINE except that whereas DEFINE uses the
      definition text as a literal string ASSIGN first evaluates the text,
      i.e. it replaces \%<character> and \v(variable) items with their string,
      at the time the ASSIGN statement is executed.

72. More work on Tektronix BYPASS mode. By popular demand, ensure that BYPASS
    mode stays on (discards incoming characters) until a control character
    arrives from the host, or the screen is cleared, or the emulator is reset.
    Previous test editions of version 3.02 waited for a local control code to
    be generated. Files affected are msgibm.asm and msyibm.asm.

73. Correct tiny bug introduced by item 70. File mssker.asm
    And plug a security hole of two Control-C's in a row from a remote client
    causing server mode to exit if FIN/BYE is disabled. Files msscom.asm and
    mssser.asm.

74. Modify the action of the BYE/FINISH/LOGOUT command from an MS-DOS Kermit
    client. Previously these would complete successfully whether or not the
    server host sent an Error packet. It has been discovered that C Kermit
    version 5A sends an Error packet response if BYE has been Disabled. To
    keep things rational MS-DOS Kermit now stays active if an Error packet
    is received for these commands. Script writers may want to issue an
    extra command to EXIT Kermit regardless. An MS-DOS Kermit server returns
    an ACK with a message that the command is disabled, it logs out the user,
    it hangs up the connection, and it returns to being a server waiting for
    another customer, all if BYE is disabled.

75. Adjust the FILE TRANSFER CHARACTER-SET tables for LATIN5/Cyrillic to
    use ISO 8859-5 (Latin/Cyrillic) on the wire and presume Code Page 866
    (Alternate Cyrillic) in the machine. Modify the character set name
    from LATIN5 to CYRILLIC. Cyrillic uses an ISO 2022 announcer of ESC L.
    File mssfil.asm is changed.

76. Add to list of \v(variable) items the variables PLATFORM and SYSTEM.
    Platform returns the machine name, such as IBM-PC, and System returns
    the operating system name, MS-DOS, for MS-DOS Kermit. This is to match
    C Kermit 5A.
    In addition, add the objects PLATFORM and SYSTEM to the WRITE command;
    they may be followed by optional text:
        WRITE SESSION Platform and this is a good machine.
    FIles changed are msscmd.asm and msster.asm

77. Correct a sneaky bug regarding testing for DESQview which led to over
    writing of a few Help messages in the main body of MS-DOS Kermit/IBM-PC.
    File msyibm.asm.

78. Add numerical variable KEYBOARD to IF statements, \v(variable), and
    WRITE statements so that Take files can be tailored to fit either 88
    (so-called Old AT) or 101 (so-called Enhanced) keyboards. The value is
    either 88 (default) or 101 or 250. The determination of 88 or 101 is made
    at Kermit startup. The IBM PC version also permits the value 250 if the
    LK250 keyboard is selected (SET KEY LK250) and external driver is present
    for the Digital keyboard. Files affected are msuibm, msscmd, mssscp,
    and msster.

79. Enhancements to SET PORT EBIOS for IBM LANACS.
    - Let the baud rate be set for BIOSn and EBIOS ports for IBM-PC version.
    Initially they will show as "unknown" until set by the user. In addition
    to the speed 8 data bits and no parity are set. For EBIOS, the port
    being adjusted is really that on the asynchronous server; the local PC
    uses NetBios and EBIOS to simulate that remote port across the network.

    - Add new optional final command argument of the EBIOS server port name
        SET PORT EBIOS <local coms port, 1..4> <server port name>
    such as  SET PORT EBIOS 1 modem-2400

    If the server port name is omitted then the port name is taken from the
    EBIOS table on the client machine, such as resuming an old connection.
    This option removes the necessity of using the REDIRECT.EXE program, part
    of the LANACS package, because Kermit does a simple redirection of the
    selected local port to the named host port (and the name is persumed to
    be a unique one rather than a group name). If another type of connection
    is desired then (a) omit the sever port name in the SET PORT EBIOS cmd
    and (b) perform the redirection with REDIRECT.EXE. Each instance of SET
    PORT EBIOS <local comms port> uses its own port information of speed,
    parity, flow control, handshake, and local-echo.  msxibm.asm, msster.asm

80. On the formatted file transfer screen add " of n" to the Window slots
    line, where n is the maximum number negotiated between Kermits. msssho.asm

81. Correct bug in processing CSI ? 256 n leading to crashes. Thanks to
    Risto Laitinen. File msgibm.asm

82. Modify the strategy for DEC Autoprint, CSI ? 5 (and 4) i  from printing
    each character as it arrives to printing display lines only as the cursor
    is moved off it by an autowrap or LF, FF, or VT (otherwise do not print
    the line). Thanks to Michael Wolter for pointing out the problem. mszibm

83. Also, preserve the state of VTxxx terminal emulator printing around
    processing of DEC Set Conformance Level commands, e.g. CSI 63; 1 " p.
    Plus, correct a small bug resetting the cursor column to zero when writing
    to a host owned status line. Tnx to Michael Wolter and John E. Davis.

84. 12 Oct, two small fixes - ensure REM FILE TYPE remembers the command while
    being an MS-DOS Kermit server (mssser.asm), and cure a small \v(variable)
    bug in file msscmd.asm.

85. Correct a problem of not sending an XON following a failed RUN or PUSH
    command. An XOFF sent automatically as Kermit shells to DOS. The XOFF/XON
    pair is used to suspend host output while DOS is in charge. mssker.asm

86. 25 Oct. Fix some parser problems (Control-C handling, ASK command line
    editing) introduced with internal changes made over the past three weeks.
    Files changed are msscmd.asm and mssset.asm.

87. Modify the action of pressing the Enter key while a script INPUT command
    is in progress. Previously it meant "assume a match has occurred" so the
    script could progress. Now it means "assume a timeout has occurred" and
    report a failure status. People seem to prefer the latter approach. mssscp

88. 2 Nov. Add internal support of Microsoft compatible mouse for Tektronix
    GIN crosshairs. Both the regular cursor keys and the mouse can function
    together. Pressing either mouse button is the same as pressing the Enter
    key. The mouse driver must be active for Kermit to use it (include line
    DEVICE=path\MOUSE.SYS in file CONFIG.SYS for permanent residency, or give
    the DOS command MOUSE ON for temporary residency of the MS mouse driver).
    This addition bypasses any active mouse menu programs such as DEFAULT.COM
    during Tektronix emulation but they continue to run otherwise. MS-DOS
    Kermit uses standard Microsoft Interrupt 33h mouse calls. msgibm.asm

89. Extend automatic detection of unexpected parity in packets to include the
    first four protocol characters rather than the first two. In addition,
    perform the test only on the first good received packet of a file transfer
    group. The test is effective only if the local parity setting is NONE,
    and if another setting is detected from the host then the local setting
    is changed permanently. Files msscom, mssrcv, msssen, msssser.asm.

90. Correct some subtlities in command line parsing when a local prompt is
    offered, such as in GETting files with an overriding local name. Files
    msscmd.asm and mssker.asm.

91. Add a text cursor symbol, an 8x8 dot hollow box, in Tektronix graphics
    terminal emulation mode so we can see where we are. The box is removed
    before generating a TIFF format screen dump (default keys Control-End) and
    it is restored afterward. The box is XOR'd with the picture so that no
    information is lost. File msgibm.asm.

92. Add command SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS CURSOR {ON, OFF}, default is ON. This
    permits one to turn off the text cursor while in graphics (Tek) mode.
    The cursor is suppressed around almost all drawing and Sixel commands.

    Add command SET TERMINAL GRAPHICS COLOR <color values> which is analogous
    to the text mode command SET TERM COLOR and uses the same color values.
    Two technical notes: the background color cannot be given bold attributes,
    and the colors are stored in DEC VT340 color palette slots 0 (background)
    and 7 (foreground).

    Be wary of two side effects of colored graphics screens: most Print Screen
    programs will put a black dot on the printer paper if a dot is illuminated
    at all, and Sixel graphics normally add (OR) to the exiting dot coloring
    and hence the coloring may not be what was intended. Resetting the
    emulator restores the colors specified by these SET TERMINAL commands.
    Files msyibm.asm and msgibm.asm

93. To the mouse support add setting of the span of cursor motions to be the
    current screen dimensions, for mouse drivers which may not do this
    automatically. An internal item, no user commands. Thanks to Leland Bruns
    of Intel.

More changes are expected.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 2 Nov 90 22:55:21 EST
From: Robert Weiner <rweiner>
Subject: Rainbow Kermit Updated Too (for testing)
Keywords: Rainbow Kermit, DEC Rainbow, MS-DOS

The current version of DEC Rainbow 100 MS-DOS Kermit is ready for testing
and is available on watsun.cc.columbia.edu in the following files:

    ~kermit/test/mstrb1.boo        BOO Encoded MS-DOS Executable
    ~kermit/bin/mstrb1.exe        MS-DOS Executable

This version was built using the current generic MS-DOS Kermit modules which
exist on watsun.cc.columbia.edu in the ~kermit/test directory, and therefore
contains many of the bugfixes and enhancements which
have been mentioned for the IBM-PC version.

[Ed. - A version of MS-DOS Kermit 3.02 for the Heath/Zenith 100 is expected
soon too.  Watch Info-Kermit for an announcement.]

------------------------------

Date: Wed Nov  7 17:01:54 1990
From: Christine M Gianone
Subject: New Kermit for Gould/SEL 32/77 MPX
Keywords: Gould/SEL Kermit, MPX Kermit

This is to announce a Kermit server program for the Gould/SEL 32/77 computer
with the MPX 1.5E operating system, from Barry M. Wilson, Queensland
Electricity Commision, Belmont State Control Centre, 311 Wecker Road,
Mansfield, Queensland 4122, Australia, phone [phone].

There is no user interface, it is a server only.  It supports long packets,
up to 768 bytes in and 1000 bytes out.  It handles run-length compression
encoding in incoming packets, but does not compress when sending.  There is no
further documentation.

The source files and build procedure are collected together into a single
file, kermit/d/gm3ker.jar (a "join archive") on watsun for anonymous FTP
(Internet) and GM3KER.JAR from KERMSRV at CUVMA (BITNET).

Thanks to Barry for doing the work and sending it in!

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 14 Oct 90 17:20:36 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Merton Campbell Crockett)
Subject: MS-Kermit 3.02 Argument Handling, Keyboard Mapping
Keywords: MS-DOS Kermit 3.02

When using version 3.02 of MS-Kermit, I get an error, "?word xxxxx not usable
here.", when entering the command

        dial xxxxx

however, although an error is reported, the HAYES.TAK command file is invoked
and attempts to dial "ATDTxxxxx"--not exactly the intended operation.

The DIAL macro is the one defined in Christine Gianone's MSKERMIT.INI file.
The LOOKUP macro was modified as shown below.  The macros worked under version
3.00 and 3.01.

[Ed. - Right you are.  There were many complaints about the way Kermit's macro
arguments were handled -- they were not saved and restored across calls like
real function arguments.  Now they are.  Unfortunately this breaks the nice
LOOKUP and DIAL macros.  They must be slightly recoded to use a global
variable.  Hopefully the benefits are worth it.  Something like this,
maybe:

def lookup -
  if eq \%1 compuserve  def \%9 7654321,-
  if eq \%1 telenet     def \%9 8765432,-
  if eq \%1 fishnet     def \%9 9876543,-
  if eq \%1 hairnet     def \%9 5551234,-
  if def \%9 assign \%n \%9

;   DIAL macro to dial a number.  The argument can be either a telephone
;   number or a string defined in a lookup(x) macro.  The macro requires
;   HAYES.TAK to be in the current directory or in a defined DOS PATH.

def dial if = argc 2 assign \%n \%1,-
  if < argc 2 if not def \%n fatal {Dial what?},-
  if > argc 2 fatal {No spaces please.},-
  lookup \%n,-
  assign \%1 \%n,-
  take hayes.tak

I connect to several different office automation systems based on Unix
platforms which presume that the "terminal" is a DEC VT100 class terminal and
make heavy use of the VT100 keypad for functions and subfunctions.  I also use
EDT on IAS and VMS platforms.  The following excerpt from my MSKERMIT.INI
command file may be of interest to others with 101 key keyboards who find
MS-DOS Kermit standard mappings hard to remember or would just prefer to have
the keypad in a manner more similar to a VT100, VT200, or VT300 class
terminal.

[Ed. - Many thanks, your contribution has been added to MSIVT3.INI, our
collection VT300 keyboard mappings...]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 1990 Oct 10   22:35 EDT
From: "John F. Chandler"   <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Kermit REMOTE SET Command
Keywords: REMOTE SET, Kermit Commands, Remote Commands

> This is actually a tricky situation.  The idea was that TRANSPARENT should
> be the default, for compatibility with the hundreds of Kermit programs that
> do not support the character-set extension.
>
Let's not forget that it would be the default only for systems whose native
character set is ASCII.  Its meaning, in fact, is rather nebulous, since it
is very similar to FILE TYPE BINARY for ASCII systems.  What it means, in
short, is "use the FILE CHARACTER-SET for the TRANSFER (or vice versa)."
However, a TRANSPARENT sender cannot presume to tell the receiver what
character set to use, so the situation is, indeed, tricky.  The natural
Encoding attribute for TRANSPARENT transfers is "*!A" on all ASCII systems (or
perhaps no attribute at all), but there is *no* natural value on non-ASCII
(e.g., EBCDIC) systems.

> Adding a new designator to denote TRANSPARENT might confuse Kermits that
> don't understand it, including Kermits that support the character-set
> extension, if that designator were to arrive in an Attribute packet.
>
You bet.

> So far, it has been an implementation decision about whether character-set
> changes based on incoming attribute packets are "sticky".  If they are, this
> presents the problem that there is no way for a client to tell a server to
> switch from translation to transparent.
>
.. except, of course, REMOTE KERMIT SET TRANSF CHAR TRANSP.

> So it would appear that a decent compromise would be to invent a new
> designator, say K0, for TRANSPARENT, and to support it in REMOTE SET
> TRANSFER CHARACTER-SET commands, but, at least for a time, not use it in
> Attribute packets.  Opinions?]
>
Yes.  I would say, though, that K0 should never be allowed in A-packets.
                                           John

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 90 20:17:40 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Kermit for STRATUS/VOS?
Keywords: Stratus, VOS

Looking for a version of KERMIT that runs on STRATUS and supports full set of
KERMIT commands.  Currently have a version of KERMIT that only knows how to
receive ASCII files.  Would like to have a version that supports both sending
and the receiving and can act as both the initiating and terminating end of a
KERMIT session.  Also, would like a version that supports the transportation
of binary files.

A portable version would be acceptable.

[Ed. - Good luck!  In fact, you seem to have more than we do -- our listings
don't show any entries for Stratus at all.  Anybody out there know anything
or working on anything for the Stratus?  We have a similar request from
Bill Oliver, MD, Department of Hospital Labs, UNC Hospitals,
[e-mail].]

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Date: 30 Oct 90 18:15:13 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Gordon Maskew Fair, III)
Subject: Kermit vs Hypercard?
Keywords: Hypercard Kermit

Has there been a stack created that will allow one to use all the
kermit, and/or xmodem, and/or ymodem commands?  If there is anything
somewhat like this I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

Gordon

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End of Info-Kermit Digest
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